Today we’d like to introduce you to Theresa Nix.
Hi Theresa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Ten years ago when our son, Everett, was born with Down syndrome, Rob and I felt alone and afraid. Lack of experience and knowledge about something new will do that to you. Out of the five most basic needs as humans, love and belonging is at the very core. We quickly realized as new parents, who longed to belong, that our family did not quite fit into everyday places and spaces. So, we began to create our own fun and inclusive opportunities to meet and connect with others who were on the same amazing journey. What we found were a whole lot of families feeling the exact same way. Downside Up was born! We began with our Camp Wakawalu family camp weekends eight years ago. The immediate success and obvious need for that type of camp experience pushed us to open a physical space that could serve more families throughout the entire year instead of just a few weekends.
After months of work renovating an old warehouse, we had an open house in January of 2020. Hundreds of people came to celebrate the unique opportunity that was created for Chattanooga families. The pandemic quickly put a stop to the full schedule of events that were planned. Making it through the difficulty of the last couple of years has proven the importance & necessity of the mission. The continued support and encouragement of the community has helped Downside Up grow and develop in a beautiful way. We are a family for families who have children with disabilities, and we are so grateful for those we have met along this journey.
Theresa Nix – (CEO/Founder) As a mother of a child with a disability, she knows the importance of community with those who share the same journey. Downside Up provides family camps, educational classes, recreational programs, and creative spaces for families to connect who have children with disabilities. Although the main focus is on developing more opportunities for those with disabilities, Downside Up welcomes all abilities, all ages, and the entire family to grow and learn together. Theresa also shares Downside Up’s mission through speaking arrangements at local colleges, high schools and community events. She has a Master in Education, has taught for 22 years including PreK through college-age students, and has coached a multitude of soccer teams throughout the Chattanooga area for over 30 years. Theresa is excited about creating a more inclusive city for all to enjoy.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I started Downside Up, Everett was 2, I was teaching middle school and coaching soccer. Our family camps and mini-events throughout the year were all I could manage at the time. When our second year of camp had 90 registrations the first day we put it online and families were coming from Atlanta, Nashville, Knoxville, and even Florida to attend, I knew it was needed and important. I wanted to do the nonprofit full time and eventually open a creative learning and activity center for the entire family to enjoy the camp experience all year, but being in my 22nd year of teaching, I was afraid to take that leap of faith to do something I really had no idea how to do. Giving up my teaching salary has been quite a challenge for our family, but my husband has worked very hard to allow me to follow my dream.
Although the nonprofit began eight years ago, our physical space opened in January of 2020. We had hundreds of people come to our open house and had a loaded schedule for the upcoming year. Then, as we all know, the world paused. In our first actual business year, we faced a pandemic. Since most of the children we serve are already in the higher risk category, we had to completely shut our doors for months and then only held small camps and activities as the world opened up. We made it through those difficult years and have continued to add more educational, recreational, and social events to our calendar each month. We were able to have our Camp Wakawalu family overnight camp last August, so the magic continues. Every family and every child who becomes part of our family for families makes it all worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are unique in that we serve children and adults of all abilities as well as the family unit. My son has Down syndrome, so that is what I thought would be our main focus when we started, but I quickly found out that all parents are going through much of the same fears, obstacles, joys, and adventures guiding their child with disabilities to be the very best they can be. Our programming is continually evolving and growing according to the need of our community.
Mission: We provide creative spaces and experiences that encourage growth, inspire learning, and develop connections for children with disabilities and their families.
Vision: Downside Up envisions a world where all people with disabilities and their loved ones have access to the environments and experiences they need to grow and thrive.
Our Values:
– We believe in the power of play
– Care for the caretaker is essential
– Loving families make happy kids
– We celebrate the highs and guide through the lows
– Embrace chaos, practice patience
– Authenticity builds relationships
– Everyone is welcome
Programs Offered at Training Wheels:
Inclusive Camps PreK-4th Grade
Inclusive Preschool Program- Serves ages 2.5 to 6 years
Open Play Dates
Community Connections
Family Workshops
Parent/Caregiver Education Classes
Parent/Caregiver Support Groups
After School Programs (Dance, Art, Social Skills)
Pet Therapy
Date Nights for parents
Social nights for older individuals with disabilities
Community Garden Program
Homeschool Programs
Toy Library
Projected Programs:
Vocational/Transition from school to workforce (age 22+)
Adaptive Sports/Special Olympics practice groups (Utilizing Shared Gym Space)
Respite Care
Inclusive Camps for 5th Grade and Up
Occupational Therapy/Horticultural Therapy
After School Tutoring
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Chattanooga is in the very best location being equally close to Atlanta, Nashville, and Knoxville. We are able to serve families from all areas surrounding our city. Chattanooga is growing in so many ways and is a generous community. There are almost 3000 nonprofits in Chattanooga, so we are full of people who care about people and who want to make a positive impact on this world in a variety of ways.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.downsideupinc.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/downsideupinc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downsideupinc/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@downsideupinc.68
Image Credits
Drew Eldridge
